Electric sign



July 1, 1930. LANGNER 1,768,699

. ELECTRIC SIGN Filed Jul so, 1928 o// ooooo o 1 VENTUR- WM W0 A TTORNEY This invention relatesto' electric signs for producing traveling words or other visual- Patented July V1, 193 :1 v H LAWRENCE LANGNER. oft-NEW YoRK, 1\T. Y;,fAssIG1\ToR To-aHE LoNGsIGN c aroaa- Tron, onDAY'ron, onto, A conronamrou OF OHIO i Application filed uly 30;

indications. 7

One object of the invention is the provision of an electric sign having a series of illuminated lamps and a traveling tape having per forations so coordinated with the lamp arrangement as to register with the lamps to form traveling characters whichmove across the sign.

. Anotherobject of the invention is the provision of an electric sign of the charactermentioned in which the lamps are all arranged 1n adefinlte regular arrangement,

and in which a ground glass screen isprovided in front of the perforated tape to produce distinct indications or characters which lamps however are without objectionable glare. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent, from the follpwingdescription and'fromthe accompanying draw- 1 Fig. 4 is a portion of a modified form of construction, shown in front elevation; and Fig; 5v is a transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 4. g V This invention pertains particularly to electric signs embodying a bank of illuminated lamps in front of which is a traveling perforated tape, the perforations of which produce moving words or other visualindlcations. .As shown in the'drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate like parts in the various views, the signcomprises a box or casing in which is a bank or series 11 of electric light bulbs 12. 7 These electric light bulbs are arranged in a definite regular relationship, being provided in vertical and horizontal rows as shown in Fig. 2. The

light bulbs 12 are preferablyof comparative- 1y small size so that a considerable number 1928. Serial n'q. "2%;155. v

of them may be arranged in each vertical row of the series. Each lamp has a screw-threaded terminal which isthreaded into a metallic V plate l 3; and each is p'rovidedwith acontact portion which abuts against a secondmetallic plate 14 thesetwo metallic plates forming electrical conductors which supply electricity at suitable voltage to the lamps. The" two;v

Plates 13 "and 14 areelectrically connected a indicated at 15 to a suitable transformer 161 which is provided in any suitable location, preferably within the box or casinglO; I

Inffront of the series of lamps 11 is a movingltape 18a- Thistape is provided w-ith's'uit j able'perforations 20; arranged to outlinesuit able letters or. other characters, and these perforations are so arranged on the tape asto I be'coordinate d with theregular positioning of the individual lamps.. As shown in Fig.- 3 each perforation in the tape is adapted'to registerin'front of one of the lamps-so that the light from such a lamp may pass unobstructed'ly through the tape at this-point. And the various perforations move from'registration with one lampinto registration with the nextsucceeding lamp as the tapetrave'ls from right to left- I The result of this asrangement therefore is that the light shines" thr'oughthe perforations in the tape all the while the tape-is movingacrossthe sigmibut when any perforation inthe tapeis inexact registration witha lamp a maximum amount oflight passes through the perforation, and

a an indication is'produced of very pleasing appearance; and one which is quite easy on the eyes and without objectionable flicker. The variation's'in light intensity as any'perforat-ion passes from registration with one lamp to registration with a succeeding lamp is suificientme'relyto attract the attention of a: passer-Joy without objectionable optica'lefl movdibyafdrum roller'23' which is shown feet. Theltape 18 is preferably afiexible t'ape'lgui'ded by the guide. rollers 22, and

c onnectjedlto a small electric motqr24 by 7 means of abut 25 so'th at the tape is driven from' thisf'driim roller Iatthe proper speed, tli diletidii" of motion 0f the" tape being I froniright to left to oneviewing the s ign so 7 that he can properly read the traveling words or indications.

The tape may be of any suitable opaque or semi-opaque material, and the perforations in the tape, although shown in the drawings as being approximately round, may be of other configuration to obtain a proper pleasing ap- Y pearance. If desired the tape may be made of colored material, such as green, for example, sothat' the light which shines through the rforations seems to be viewed on a'green Bickground. Obviously the tape may be otherwise colored as desired.

In front of the perforatedtape, the. sign is, preferably provided with a ground glass screen 27, which may if "desired be suitably colored; Of course other material than glass may be used for this screen, but preferably thematerial isof a frosted or ground character so that there is some diffusion and blend ing ofthe light, giving the appearance of a continuous letter outline rather than a series ularly arranged in vertical and horizontal rows and adapted to be illuminated all at the same time, a colored tape having perforations outlining characters, and means for moving said tape in front of said lamps to form traveling characters, the perforations in the tape being movable horizontally so as to register with successive lamps.

.4. A sign comprising a series of lamps ar-.

ranged in a defini'teregular relationship in several rows, and a perforated tape having perforations adapted to register with the lamps to form traveling characters, means for moving said tape in front of said lamps, and a ground glass screen in front of said tape.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

LAWRENCE LANGNER.

of individual light spots, yet maintaining the outline of the character sufficiently so as to be easily read. 1

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 each lamp is enclosed on its sides by light colored or metallic shield surfaces as shown, these shield surfaces being provided 'morle individual nature.

the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of tap aratus, and that changes may be, made therein without departing from the scope of. the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sign comprising a series of lamps regularly arranged in'a definite regular relationship in several horizontal rows and. adapted toabe illuminated all at the same time, and

a perforated tape having perforations arranged in several horizontal rows adapted to register with the lamps to form traveling characters, and means for moving said tape'in front of said lamps so each perforation regis:

ters with a large number of lamps as it moves,

across the sign. 7 y y 2. A sign comprising a series of small elec tric lamps regularly arranged in several straight horizontal rows, anopaque tape having perforations adapted to register with the lamps to form traveling characters, and means for moving said tape in front of said lamps.

' 3. A sign comprising a series of lamps reg- 

